Recently in September of 2017, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), stated that an estimated 40.3 million people were victims of modern slavery in 2016. Their research suggests that women account for an estimated 29 million, or 71% of the total.

Of this total global figure, approximately 18 million people in India are classified as 'enslaved' in forms of modern slavery such as bonded labour, forced child labour, commercial sexual exploitation, forced begging and forced marriage.

A vast informal labour market creates a greater vulnerability on the large manual labour population. These workers face risks associated with a highly unregulated and unmonitored work environment, unprotected by law enforcement. The resulting effect leaves them open to exploitation in industries such as agriculture, textile, manufacturing and construction.

Brick kilns are infamous for situations like this. India has considerably more brick kilns than any other country in the world, and consequently employs almost double the work force than any other country. Labour is almost always manual, entailing arduous days of back aching work, lifting, carrying and moving heavy loads.

Now imagine doing this for 14 hours a day. Seven days a week. With no break. While your 'owner' physically and verbally abuses you. You cannot leave the compound. And, if you try, you will be found. And beaten.

Imagine this is your life.

Every day. For years.

Nb. The brick kiln photographed operates fully with national legislation and policy. It is merely used as an example.

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